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Negatively:

1. That Christ did not associate with publicans and sinners because He entertained too humble an opinion of Himself. He knew that He was intellectually and morally superior to them.

2. That Christ did not associate with publicans and sinners because He was not choice as to His society. "Evil communications corrupt good manners."

3. That Christ did not associate with publicans and sinners because of His sympathy with them. It was not their wickedness that drew Him to them; morally He had nothing in common with them.Positively:

1. That to have refused Levi's invitation would not have been courteous.

2. That in accepting Levi's invitation Christ displayed a spirit of condescension.

3. That by eating and drinking with publicans and sinners Christ exhibited a friendly disposition towards them.

4. That attending Levi's feast gave Christ an excellent opportunity of doing Publicans and sinners good.

(G. Cron.)

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KJV: And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

WEB: The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"